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Identification and characterization of a lymphocytic Rho-GTPase effector: rhotekin-2

journal contribution
posted on 2004-11-26, 00:00 authored by Fiona Collier, C Gregorio-King, T Gough, Courtney Talbot, Ken WalderKen Walder, M Kirkland
Rhotekin belongs to the group of proteins containing a Rho-binding domain that are target peptides (effectors) for the Rho-GTPases. We previously identified a novel cDNA with homology to human rhotekin and in this study we cloned and characterized the coding region of this novel 12-exon gene. The ORF encodes a 609 amino-acid protein comprising a Class I Rho-binding domain and pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. Cellular cDNA expression of this new protein, designated Rhotekin-2 (RTKN2), was shown in the cytosol and nucleus of CHO cells. Using bioinformatics and RTPCR we identified three major splice variants, which vary in both the Rho-binding and PH domains. Real-time PCR studies showed exclusive RTKN2 expression in pooled lymphocytes and further purification indicated sole expression in CD4pos T-cells and bone marrow-derived B-cells. Gene expression was increased in quiescent T-cells but negligible in activated proliferating cells. In malignant samples expression was absent in myeloid leukaemias, low in most B-cell malignancies and CD8pos T-cell malignancies, but very high in CD4pos/CD8pos T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. As the Rho family is critical in lymphocyte development and function, RTKN2 may play an important role in lymphopoiesis.

History

Journal

Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Volume

324

Issue

4

Pagination

1360 - 1369

Publisher

Academic Press

Location

San Diego, Calif.

ISSN

0006-291X

eISSN

1090-2104

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2004, Elsevier Inc.